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Zafu Question

I don't own a zafu, I have been using a pillow. Is it worth the money to invest in one instead of sitting on a pillow, especially for someone like me who has chronic hip and back problems, or is it basically the same thing.

Also, I live in Western Canada, can anyone recommend a good website for ordering one.

Treena,
I don't know if you sit in lotus, burmese, or another position. Your zazen position can exacerbate lower back and hip problems if your posture is not comfortable or physiologically compassionate to your body's "story"... Much has been written on these forums about posture, Alexander technique, and avoiding rigidity in zazen posture. Taigu is a real authority on this.

To make a potentially long answer short; your choice of pillow or zafu makes a huge difference as well - the investment in a zafu is well worth it. I have used pillows and find they "float" or are too squishy and unstable for me. The amount of time and energy my lower back muscles spend stabilizing my core is excessive when sitting on a pillow. I use a buckwheat hull-filled zafu. I would suggest one of these. There are several purveyors of zafus on the web, and I am sure you will find many opinions here. To be honest, what worked for me when I had to replace my zafu (the cat peed on it and as you might imagine difficult to remove the odor) is I went to amazon.com and searched on "zafu." Several great options were immediately available and I purchased the "Hugger Mugger" black zafu. I would suggest buckwheat hull filling as compared to kapok filling. I think it gives a more stable support, and can adjust to your anatomy when you settle into position. The difference between zafu and pillow will also become more obvious when you sit over the course of several periods of zazen, such as in a zazenkai or sesshin.

I am sure there will be a plethora of opinions here. Take them all into consideration and decide what is most appropriate to your situation.

Deep bows
Yugen

Last edited by Yugen; 10-05-2013 at 02:22 AM.

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Please take all my comments with a grain of salt - I am a novice priest and anything I say is to be taken with a good dose of skepticism - Shodo Yugen

Thanks Yugen, good info to know, and I see now I definitely will have to take my time and do some research. I sit half-lotus or burmese, depending on what kind of day I've had in regards to how much stress has been put on my hips and back.

I was happy with this set. You can buy a zafu alone for far less. Amazon has a good return policy I think...in case you find the zafu you order doesn't work for you. Im assuming Amazon is Canada friendly....?

My favorite/ most comfy way to sit was on a bench. There are some nice handmade ones on Etsy at times. Of course now that my health is not great I "sit" lying down. Too bad you are so far away. If we were neighbors I would just give you mine to use since I no longer use them.

I've only been sitting for a little over a month now and after only sitting on a pillow for a couple of days I looked into purchasing a zafu because of the reasons you mentioned. I noticed an immediate difference once I sat on it for the first time. I still have lower back pain when I sit, but it is near the end of my Zazen and it is a dull ache rather than borderline excruciating pain. Good luck on your search!

The chronic back and hip might decide a chair or bought comfort is best. I have used phone directories, catalogues, folded towels. Tush up is the important bit.

What an exciting project. Sitting on pillows making something to sit on. Nice cycle to it . . .

I made a zafu from those instructions awhile back. The problem I had was when it came to stuffing...the stuffing almost cost as much as buying a zafu. So, I've yet to stuff it. If anyone has a good (inexpensive!!!) source for kapok or buckwheat hulls let me know.

Yes, I definitely think you need a Zafu. I used to sit Burmese or half lotus until I pulled my hips out of place twice (very painful), so now I mostly sit seiza with a mountain seat zafu (it's made from buckwheat hulls) and I really like it. It is higher than other forms of zafus, but is really perfect for sitting seiza for me. I bought it from the Monastery Store: http://www.dharma.net/monstore/index.php?cPath=104_105

The newer mountain seat cushions have memory foam, mine does not and I like it that way because I can shape it and mold it for a proper sitting position for me.

I use a Seiza bench most of the time as it hurts less. The Zafu hurts more but feels more stable. I hope to increase my flexibility slowly so I can sit comfortably on a Zafu in the Burmese position some day.

I had no idea the stools exisyed-way cool! Thanks fir sharing Heishu !

You're welcome. When I realized I was needing to change my way of sitting I first went to the Seiza but after a few months my situation warranted another adjustment to lessen pain and now I am happy I have my rattan stool. I like that I can still sit on a zafu and also not ruin my legs. I use the mountain seat cushion to give the proper height for my legs. Someone that is not as tall would want to use a standard size cushion perhaps.

Gassho,
Heishu

平
秀“Blessed are the flexible, for they never get bent out of shape." Author Unknown

Thank you, Shingen!! Since I've got hip and back problems, I'm thinking something like buckwheat may be better. So, perhaps this is the way to go then.

Treena

I think you might be right there Treena. I did find that with buckwheat as well and the more solid base it created allowed for that stability over longer sittings. I also use a buckwheat pillow when sleep and that is one of the things I love about it.

Gassho
Shingen

倫道 真現

As a trainee priest, please take any commentary by me on matters of the Dharma with a pinch of salt.

Hi again everyone, another quick question. My yoga instructor just informed me that she has meditation cushions for sale!! I have sat on them before, and they are very nice. They are not zafus though. Is this adequate for my sitting?

I have the same problems with my back and hips as you do, and I made my own zafu using buckwheat hulls. It could not be better and more comfortable, since you can "settle" your hips and pelvis into the zafu and it holds it stable. Have you tried sitting on these meditation cushions to see if it will support you for the duration of your sit? Only your body is going to be the deciding factor. Take care!

Hi again everyone, another quick question. My yoga instructor just informed me that she has meditation cushions for sale!! I have sat on them before, and they are very nice. They are not zafus though. Is this adequate for my sitting?

gassho
Treena

Hi Treena,

The butt and back are the ultimate judge!

However, many Yoga cushions I have seen are very thin. Actually, Chan sitters in China and Vietnam (and some other Rinzai folks) sit on cushions much like these, often piling two on top of each other.

Some just take a Zabuton, and double it over ... but still seems too thin and not supporting the back ...

However, I do not recommend so. My butt and back appreciate the ol' Zafu.

Thanks Lisa and Jundo, I bought it and it is perfect for me. I think the reason I was having pain with sitting was not so much my hips and back, as the soft pillow I was using. I now look forward to doing zazen!!!